The beautiful and historic city of Istanbul, Turkey will be the venue of FICAC’s 11th World Congress of Consuls, and I want to take this opportunity to extend to you, on behalf of the Board of Directors of the World Federation of Consuls, a cordial invitation to attend our Congress scheduled for November 18th – 22nd, 2015.

The World Congress of Consuls 2015 will provide an excellent opportunity to develop relationships, strengthen their support networks and learn more about the many programs developed by FICAC internationally.

At the meeting held at the House of Lords on the kind invitation of Lord Lingfield, The Hon. Arnold Foote, President of the World Federation of Consuls discussed in detail the work of the Federation. Also present was Mr. Guy Horridge, Chief Executive Officer of CVQO and at that meeting Lord Lingfield congratulated the World Federation of Consuls on the excellent work being done internationally and honoured FICAC by offering to host a directors meeting of FICAC at the House of Lords.

The Government of Turkey and I are delighted that the 11th FICAC World Congress of Consuls will take place on November 18-22, 2015, in Istanbul, Turkey. Istanbul, located on two continents, is the country’s economic, cultural and historical center and is a unique crossroads between east and west.

The theme of our conference “BRIDGING THE WORLD” appropriately reflects the global imperative to overcome the unprecedented political, social and economic challenges that all countries in the world, now face.

The 9th FICAC World Congress of Consuls that we carried out in Izmir left glorious memories in our minds and this year, we are glad that it will be held in one of the most beautiful cities of the world, in Istanbul, 18-22 November, 2015.

On the occasion of this event, I really want to thank all the FICAC administration staff and members, and especially our association administrative body member, Mr. Aykut Eken, who introduced and made us to love the FICAC.

The World Federation of Consuls has United Nations recognition as an NGO with ECOSOC status. It is recognised as an NGO by the Organisation of American States. It is also recognised as an NGO at the European Union.

As Chairman of the Events Committee of the World Federation of Consuls, « Fédération Internationale des Corps et Associations Consulaires a.i.s.b.l. », I’m pleased to invite you to register to the 11th World Congress of Consuls, which will take place at the « Hilton Bosphorus » in Istanbul, Turkey, 18th – 22nd of November 2015.

I was delighted to receive an e-mail from the former President, Hon. George Antoine, advising us that ACONBRAS will be re-activating its membership with the World Federation of Consuls, and I would like to congratulate him on the excellent work he did as President of ACONBRAS and ask you all to give him a big round of applause.

In its over 32 years of existence, FICAC has grown in strength and influence as an effective international body promoting the office of Honorary Consuls and Consuls worldwide and engendering a better understanding of their duties and responsibilities, as well as their rights and privileges.

It is a source of great pride to Jamaica that one of our very own, Honourable Arnold Foote, OJ, has been the President of the World Federation of Consuls since 2006.

Honourable Arnold Foote, we salute you and commend you and FICAC for the excellent role being played in the service of global consular relations and diplomacy and in the promotion of the economic and social development of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Regional integration is the process by which two or more states agree to cooperate and work together to achieve stability, peace and prosperity. It recognizes the fact that there is strength in unity of purpose and conviction, especially when you are …

Recently, the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released last year reported that the climate is already changing and the impacts are already being felt. And, further climate change is inevitable in the coming decades. The scientists have reported, and I quote “Climate change – once considered an issue for a distant future, has moved firmly into the present”.